10L for a Messi Moment! Premium photo-op session

Messi in Hyderabad: ₹9.95L photo-op, match with Suárez & De Paul, kids’ clinic. Kolkata hosts 'Hola Messi' tribute replicating his Miami home with trophies

Football icon Lionel Messi is set to create waves in India with a rare opportunity for fans to meet him in person. A premium photo-op session has been announced in Hyderabad, where admirers can capture a moment with the World Cup-winning legend. The experience, however, comes at a steep price — ₹9.95 lakh plus GST — with only 100 exclusive slots available. The event will be hosted at the historic Falaknuma Palace, with tickets being sold through the District app.

Messi is scheduled to land in Hyderabad on Saturday at 4 PM. His itinerary includes a high-profile meet-and-greet and a three-hour public programme at Uppal Stadium starting at 7 PM. He will be accompanied by fellow stars Rodrigo De Paul of Argentina and Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez, adding to the excitement.

A highlight of the evening will be a 20-minute exhibition match featuring Singareni RR-9 and Aparna Messi All Stars. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is expected to join the game for the final five minutes. In addition, Messi will conduct a football clinic for children, sharing insights into the sport, before being felicitated by the chief minister.

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Meanwhile, Kolkata is preparing its own grand tribute to the Argentine maestro. On December 13, the Argentina Football Fan Club Kolkata will unveil “Hola Messi” at Salt Lake’s Aikatan Club. The venue has been designed to replicate Messi’s Miami residence, complete with terrace statues, terracotta roofs, and life-sized cutouts of his family. Inside, fans will find a museum showcasing replicas of his most celebrated trophies — from La Liga and Champions League titles to the Copa America, World Cup, Ballon d’Or, and Golden Boot.

Adding to the spectacle, the ceiling will feature 896 footballs symbolizing each goal Messi has scored, while a 200-metre LED wall will screen highlights from his illustrious two-decade career.

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